xbiz world
xbiz premiere
opinion

Is Content Still King?

In my view, all in the webmaster community are beginning to allow content distribution to resemble a not-so-wild Joker. As if free content wasn't already a problem, we're now dealing with a new wave of sites that illegally stream hours upon hours of non-licensed video to anyone who wants to view them — free of charge. I've seen many trends come and go in the time I have worked in the online adult industry, but the continuing tendency to give more and more content away for free has become alarming.

The tube sites aren't the only guilty parties in the current situation, but they definitely have had a huge impact in a very short span of time. In virtually no time at all, tube-style sites have presented us with some of the biggest problems, challenges and some of the most heated arguments webmasters have seen in the short history of this industry. But it's not just the tube site that has me worried… It's the overall mindset of those webmasters convinced they must give away more and more free content. Like there isn't enough free content available already?

I handle sales and all affiliate related operations for two affiliate sponsor programs. We maintain a strict policy regarding the content we release to our affiliates for promotional purposes. We simply do not allow our affiliates to pull extra content from our member's areas to repackage and use for promotion. I know many programs allow this procedure in their business models, but we do not. There are some obvious reasons why we operate this way. For one, it keeps our content 100 percent exclusive. That's good for sales and retention. Does anyone remember that word, retention? You won't see our content (legally) anywhere else because we don't sell or lease it out to anyone. Equally important is our belief that the lure in getting someone to join your site is to give LESS... not MORE for free. This isn't re-inventing the wheel. We did not come up with the concept. I believe it's just a clear statement of fact that if your potential member is given too much for free, he'll never break out that plastic card. He'll satisfy his join urge with what you have so generously bestowed upon him for nothing, and no sale will ever need to be made.

This all makes sense, I know. So far no questions, right? Wait, I have a question. If sales are down everywhere, and the webmaster community generally agrees that there is far too much free porn available to the masses online, why am I asked (daily!) for access to our member's areas? My affiliates are constantly asking me for MORE promotional content. The mindset still seems to be that we need to flood the market with more and more free content to make those joins and it simply isn't true. In fact, it's just the opposite.

So what's the answer here — Rehab for webmasters? Something needs to change and soon, because I think we all enjoy what we do in this business. The reeducation of webmasters needs to take place, it needs to happen now, and let's start right here. This is my plea to webmasters and program owners. Slow down on the content giveaways. Less is more. Lower your minimum number of thumbs in a gallery for submission. Keep your video clips under 60 seconds. Keep the content legal. Don't show the money shot! Make them PAY FOR IT. If you are a program owner, give some thought to a policy regarding the amount of promo content you make available to your affiliates. In the long run this decision will pay you big dividends. Think about it for a moment. The hard raw truth is that the longer the free content flooding goes on, the fewer of you there will be running successful adult online businesses within the next three years.

Evil Chris has been in the online adult industry for 10+ years. He currently handles sales and affiliate support for Teenrevenue and Realteencash. He also owns and operates XNations.com, a popular webmaster board community.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Laurel Bencomo

Born in Cambridge, England but raised in Spain, Laurel Bencomo initially chose to study business at the University of Barcelona simply because it felt familiar — both of her parents are entrepreneurs. She went on to earn a master’s degree in sales and marketing management at the EADA Business School, while working in events for a group of restaurants in Barcelona.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Gregory Dorcel on Building Upon His Brand's Signature Legacy

“Whether reflected in the storyline or the cast or even the locations, the entertainment we deliver is based on fantasy,” he elaborates. “Our business is not, and never has been, reality. People who are buying our content aren’t expecting reality, or direct contact with stars like you can have with OnlyFans,” he says.

Jeff Dana ·
opinion

How to Turn Card Brand Compliance Into Effective Marketing

In the adult sector, compliance is often treated as a gauntlet of mandatory checkboxes. While it’s true that those boxes need to be ticked and regulations must be followed, sites that view compliance strictly as a chore risk missing out on a bigger opportunity.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

A Look at the Latest AI Tools for Online Safety

One of the defining challenges for adult businesses is helping to combat the proliferation of illegal or nonconsensual content, as well as preventing minors from accessing inappropriate or harmful material — all the more so because companies or sites unable or unwilling to do so may expose themselves to significant penalties and put their users at risk.

Gavin Worrall ·
opinion

Know When to Drop Domains You Don't Need

Do you own too many domains? If so, you’re not alone. Like other things we accumulate, every registered domain means something to us. Sometimes a domain represents a dream project we have always wanted to do but have never quite gotten around to.

Juicy Jay ·
opinion

Understanding 'Indemnification' in Business Contracts

Clients frequently tell me that they didn’t understand — or sometimes, even read — certain portions of a contract because those sections appeared to be just “standard legalese.” They are referring, of course, to the specialized language used in legal documents, including contracts.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

5 Steps to Make Card Brand Compliance Easy

It’s February, the month of love. Just once, wouldn’t it be great to receive a little candy heart asking you to “Be Mine” instead of more forms to fill out and documents to submit? Of course, regulatory compliance does have one important thing in common with romance: Fail to put in the work, and your relationship is likely over — your relationship with the card brands, that is.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Protecting Your Business With a Data Backup Strategy That Works

If the subject of backups sounds boring to you, maybe this will grab your attention: Without properly implemented backups, your business is vulnerable to partial or even catastrophic data loss, which could screw your company and tank your income.

Brad Mitchell ·
profile

WIA Profile: Paulita Pappel

Raised in Spain, surrounded by a predominantly Catholic community, Paulita Pappel grew up being told porn was bad. When she became a feminist, she was told her fascination with porn was not in line with her desire to empower women. This inner conflict made her feel like there was something wrong with her.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Complying With New Age Assurance and Content Moderation Standards

For adult companies operating in today’s increasingly regulated digital landscape, maintaining compliance with card brand requirements is essential — not only to safeguard your operations but also to ensure a safe and transparent environment for users.

Gavin Worrall ·
Show More